Case ref: MLA/2020/00542/3
Licence ref: L/2021/00122/3

Case summary

Main content

Project description

Project title

Project background

LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES: Reducing and Mitigating Erosion and Disturbance Impacts affecting the Seabed. Led by Natural England and partnered by the Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum, Royal Yachting Association, Marine Conservation Society and Ocean Conservation Trust is a 4-year E.U LIFE funded project. The project focuses on 5 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) of which Plymouth Sound SAC is an outstanding example of the feature in a European context of 1130 Estuaries. Covering 20,048 ha with 7,517ha (38%) unfavourable. Plymouth Sound & Estuaries is one of the best areas in the UK for H1130 due to the variety of habitat types and the presence of nationally rare species. The project aims to reduce and mitigate recreational effects on the SAC. The licence request pertains to the demonstration of large-scale successful restoration and management techniques across the project’s SACs and elsewhere of which the applicating is the lead deliverable partner within the LIFE Recreational ReMEDIES project.

Programme of works

The works aim to create 4 hectares of subtidal seagrass (Zostera marina) bed habitat as part of the LIFE Recreational ReMEDIES project. The aim is to contribute to restoring favourable condition of Plymouth Sound Special Area of Conservation. This will be achieved through the introduction of seed and seedlings into areas of bare subtidal sediment, identified through modelling suitable supporting habitat for Z. marina beds.
The site identified for habitat restoration is within Jennycliff Bay, Plymouth Sound in a water depth of between 2- 5m chart datum, the works will commence with the deployment of 6 Voluntary No Anchor Zone markers, which will be placed just outside the area to be planted, exact locations will be determined at the time in consultation with Plymouth QHM.
Planting of 2ha of seagrass habitat will be carried out within daylight hours between 01-03-21 and 31-05-21 which other studies have shown as the optimal for seagrass planting and successful germination. Biodegradable planting units either containing ungerminated Z. marina seed or germinated Z. marina seedings will be deployed by hand from a motor vessel. Once areas of bare sand have been populated with Z. marina planting units, SCUBA divers will peg the planting units in with biodegradable pegs by hand. All materials selected for the planting units and pegs will degrade within 12 months period leaving adult Z. marina plants remaining. The planting will be intermittent since the creation of the planting units are completed by hand, seeds need to be sown/deployed to the seabed within a 7-day period of the creation of the planting unit. The work requires 2 types of boat operations, firstly deployment of the planting units by hand over the side of motor vessel. Secondly once the deployment operation is complete within 24 hour the planting units will be pegged into the sediments.
A further 2 hectares of seagrass habitat will be created in 2022 within the licence area between 01-03-22 / 31-05-22.

Other information

Applicant details

Mr Mark Parry / 01752 275204 / mark.parry@oceanconservationtrust.org
NATIONAL MARINE AQUARIUM / Rope Walk Coxside Plymouth / PL4 0LF

Date application submitted

Date application validated

Date initial decision made

Date decision made for latest variation

Status